DNA evidence helps Sheriff’s Dept. nab suspects in Sherburne home invasion

SHERBURNE – Chenango County Sheriff Thomas Loughren announced the apprehension of two armed men suspected of breaking into a Sherburne home and brutally beating a 58-year-old woman before robbing her. The suspects had been at large since Dec. 4.

Stephen R. Ohl, 24, of Cunningham Lawrence Road, Sherburne and Jonathan “Joe” Elwood, 29, Ashcraft Road, Norwich have been arrested for first degree burglary.



“This is the crime people fear most. Armed men just suddenly coming into your home and attacking you. They were just brutal to that poor woman. I can not tell you how much my staff has pleased me with this investigation,” said Loughren.

At least one of the two men were armed with a “long gun” firearm during the burglary that took place on state Route 12 B in the Town of Sherburne. The attack happened Monday, Dec. 4, at around 11:30 p.m. The two suspects entered the home through physical force then attacked the owner, striking her. The suspects stole an unknown amount of cash. The victim was taken to Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton for cuts to her head and facial bruising.

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Reader Response

10 comments on this story

searchfortruth
March 22nd, 2007 at 5:52 pm
If they did not do the crime they were charged with then why was thier D.N.A. there? Why did they confess to doing it? I suppose Joe was inocent all the other times he was arrested too (because he is such a good person.)
madmike
March 22nd, 2007 at 5:02 pm
If you know the guy whose face was sketched on the wanted posters, and did not call the police? Are you complicit? Did you play some small part in a cover-up? Are you responsible, in a small way, for this crime? If these two are innocent, why were they arrested and held? Do you think the evidence is false, fabricated in some conspiracy to smear otherwise good citizens? If all ya got on me is bad grammar and spelling, I can live with that, some of us hang out with criminals!
mtuptonbusybee
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:16 am
We are from the area and have heard of both parties. Basically I would ask that if either of them were innocent what were they doing there in the first place and if they knew what they were doing was wrong they have had from December to turn themselves in and do the right thing. Next I wonder why one of them stood by while another assaulted this poor victim or did they both beat her up. Let't remember who is the true victim here ...
wondergirl
March 22nd, 2007 at 5:54 am
This is for the one's that think that Jonathan Elwood wouldn't do anything like this but he did. So why dont you all open your eyes and look agen. Stephen Ohl is a very good man and a great father to his childern. He may of had a bad past that everyone know him from. He has Changed so much and I can only say that because I know.
joan2207
March 21st, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Dear 2381,
Sounds like you have not been keeping very good company and you apparently don't have very good judgement. Be careful who you keep company with or your name will be in the police blotter!!
March 21st, 2007 at 4:01 pm
This is for everyone, but especially Mad Mike and Sweet as Honey, First let me say Mike before you actually make a comment perhaps you should first learn proper grammer,then you might actually make sense when you speak, and can you say spell check.Dear Sweet as Honey what did Steve do you.I don't think either one of you know him like you claim, furthermore if someone delved into ( that by the way is, checked into your backgrounds) it would show just what kind of people you are too. I too know the victim, she is a close friend of the family, AND I've known Steven as well for several Years, While I do not know the other person and what he is capable of I DO know Steven and I am adamant that he is NOT capable of this horrendous act, The victim has already said she didn't know the attackers, contrary to those reports just for the record, she does know Steven, and while he might occasionally have lapses in judgement as to who he associates with, it would be very stupid to assult someone that can actually identify you. And the last time I knew stupidty wasn't yet concidered a crime or I imagine half of Chenango County would be behind bars.
March 21st, 2007 at 3:52 pm
obviously ,you dont know steve ohl as well as you think . i've known him forever and he is not the type of person to do the awful things that they are claiming.im also a great friend of the victim and so was steve ohl.
madmike
March 21st, 2007 at 1:36 pm
The victim is a friend of mine. You should get better friends fast. YTou think he had nothing to do with it? Do you think the police just go out and pick up anyone they want? I am very glad these monsters are off of the street.
sweetashoney2381
March 21st, 2007 at 1:28 pm
I have known Joe Elwood for years, Steve Ohl as well, they are both very capable of something like this!
March 21st, 2007 at 9:27 am
I have known jonathan Elwood his entire life I can not picture him doing something like this. Joe is the kind of person who would give the shirt off his back if he thought someone was cold.
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